Beet topping machine



Feb. 11, 1941. J. 1.. BRADEN BEST TOPPING MACHINE Filed April 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Feb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- 12 Claims.

This invention relates to beet topping devices for cutting off the beet tops with the beets in the ground.

In the growing of beets, particularly the larger beets such as the sugar beets, it is well known that a portion of each beet projects above the ground, and as the beets vary in size, the projecting part of the beet will also vary. Various types of topping machines are in use which pass over the beats and cut the tops off. However, the machines now available are so constructed that the cutting blade or blades are supported from a mobile frame in such amanner that they are a definite and fixed distance off of the ground. Where the beets are irregular in size, the blade or blades must be set low enough to top the larger beets, and this results in the smaller beets having an excessive portion thereof cut oil. This is due to the fact that the blade or blades move in a fixed horizontal plane. Any unevenness of the ground will also cause either an excess cutting of the beet top or else a failure to properly top the beets.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a beet topping machine which will cut oil the desired amount of the beet top irrespective of the size of the beet, the amount cut off will vary from one quarter of an inch to an inch.

Another object of this invention isto provide a beet topping machine which is so constructed that the cutting mechanism is actuated by contact of the mechanism with the projecting portion of the beet.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a beet topping machine of this kind, a cutting mechanism which is adapted to cut of! the top in a horizontal cutting .operation and simultaneously split the severed top so that the severed top may be forced to the opposite sides of the row of beets, thus permitting the topped beets to be removed by a suitable plow or digging means without mixing the beets with the severed tops.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a topping mechanism which is swingably supported from a mobile frame and which is adapted to be vertically rocked by contact of the mechanism with the projecting portion of the beet so that the larger beets will effect a greater movement of the mechanism than the smaller beets, but the amount of the top cut off from the larger beets will be proportionately the same as is cut off from the smaller beets, thus effecting a very considerable saving of the beet.

A further object of this invention is to provide a beet topping mechanism wherein contact of the mechanism with the beet will move the cutter to a set or operative position rearwardly of the beet and hold the cutter in its set position during the passage of the mechanism over the beet whereupon the cutter will be released for forward movement .to a cutting position.

To the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

7 Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a beet topping mechanism constructed according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical section taken longitudinally through the machine.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2. v

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken longitudinally of the machine showing a portion of the controlling means for the beet topping mechanism in inoperative Position.

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l0 designates generally a mobile frame structure which at the rear thereof is adapted, to have a pair of wheels and supporting means therefor (not shown), and the frame I0 is also provided with a pair of forward wheels II which are mounted on a pair of downwardly extending supporting members I! provided with spindles l3 on which the wheels H are rotatably mounted. A draft bar I4 has its rear end portion thereof overlapping the forward end of the frame l0 and the forward end of the draft bar It is adapted to be connected to a tractor or is adapted .to have a pair of horses connected to a tongue l5 which is secured by fastening devices 16 to the forward end of the draft bar structure Id. In practice there are two of the draft bars I which are disposed in spaced apart relation and the rear ends of the draft bars H are downwardly curved as at i1 and extend rearwardly of the forward end of the frame III. A pair of connecting links l8 are pivotally secured as at l9 to the rear ends of the downwardly curved portion i1 and the forward ends of the links l8 are pivotally mounted as at 25 to a pair of upright supporting members 2| which are fixed to the forward end of the frame |5.

In operative position, which is the position shown in Figure l, the rear end of the draft bar structure I4 is adapted to rest on the horizontal forward end of the frame l5. In this position, the pivot l5 is disposed below the pivot 25 so that a forward pull on the draft bars l4 will not raise the links l5 and thus raise the beet topping mechanism to be hereinafter described.

A spring 2| is connected at one end to the pivot l5 and at the opposite or lower end is connected to an eye bolt 22 which is fixed to the lower end of an L-shaped supporting member 23. The supporting member 23 has one side thereof substantially horizontal and secured beneath the forward upper end portion of the frame 15. The spring 2| yieldably urges the rear ends of the bars l4 downwardly.

A beet topping mechanism generally designated as 24 is disposed below the draft bars l4 and forwardly of the frame l5. The beet topping mechanism 24 comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel bars 25 which are inclined to the vertical and the forward upper ends of the bars 25 are laterally oflset as at 25. The forward ends of the bars 25 are pivotally mounted on a pivot member 21 which extends through a pair of depending supports 28 which are fixed to and. depend from the two bars |4 closely adjacent the draft tongue I5. The supporting members 25 are secured one to each draft bar H by fastening devices 2-5. A pair of parallel frame bars 35 are disposed in spaced relation to the supporting bars 25 and the forward upper ends of the bars 35 are bent inwardly as at 3| and then continued forwardly as at 32 The inwardly and obtusely bent portions 3| of the bars 35 form a V at the upper ends of the bars 35 and the straight portions 32 are secured as by fastening devices 33 to the supporting bars 25.

A roller shaft 34 extends through an outer side bar 35 and an inner bar 25, and a roller 35 is rotatably mounted on each shaft 34. A vertically disposed bar 35 extends upwardly from the lower end of each bar 25 and may be formed integral with a bar 25. The two vertical bars 35 have securedl therebetween an upwardly extending link 51 which at its lower end is secured as by a pivot member to the upper ends of the two bars 35. The link 31 is provided with a plurality of holes 35 and one leg 45 of a bell crank 4| is pivotally secured as by a pivot member 42 in a selected hole 39. The bell crank 4| is pivotally mounted on a shaft 43 extending between the two bars l4 and the upper leg 44 of the bell crank 4| is provided with a hole 45 in which one end of a spring 45 engages. The spring 45 is connected at the opposite end thereof to an eye bolt 41 which extends through a vertically disposed support 45 which is carried by the rear portions of the draft bars l4.

The spring 45 provides a balancing or tensionable means for yieldably holding the topping mechanism 24 in the desired operative position beneath the draft bars H. A stop member 45 extends between the two draft bars l4 and the upper leg or side 44 of the bell crank 4| is adapted to engage against the stop member 45.

A shield comprising a plate 55 is disposed beneath the frame members or bars 25 and 35 and this plate 55 is provided with upturned marginal portions 5| engaging against the outer sides of the side bars 35 and is also provided with upturned forward end portions 52 engaging the convergent portions 3| of the side members 35. The shield or plate structure 55 is detachably secured as by a single bolt 53 to the two supporting bars 25, the bolt 53 engaging between the two bars 25 upwardly from the lower ends thereof. A stationary top splitting blade or cutter 54 is secured as by a pivot member 55 between the two supporting bars 25. The blade 54 is provided with an arcuate slot 55 downwardly from the pivot member 55 and a blade clamping bolt 51 extends through the two bars 25 and the'slot 55 and holds the blade 54 in adjusted position relative to the plate or shield 55.

The lower end of the plate 55 as shown in Figure 2 is preferably upturned as at 55 and provides a means whereby the surface of the two rollers 35 may be constantly cleaned as the device is moving over the surface of the ground. The shield 55 is provided with an elongated slot 55 through which the blade 54 projects. The rear portion of the blade 54 extends below the two rollers 35 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and is adapted to engage the top of the beet so as to divide the beet top in order that the cutting mechanism to be hereinafter described may operate to move the split portions of the beet top laterally of the row of beetsr A cutter carrying plate 55 is slidably disposed between one of the frame bars 25 and the stationary cutter 54 and the plate 55 at its forward end has secured thereto an upwardly extending arm 5| which has fixed to its upper end a pair of coupling members 52. The coupling members 52 are fixed to the upper end of the arm 5| by a bolt or pivotal member 53. Preferably the two coupling members 52 are provided with outwardly offset upper portions 54 having an opening 55 in which the lower end of a blade tensionins spring 55 is adapted to engage. The spring 55 not only tensions the movement of the plate 55 but also serves as a yieldable operator for the beet topping and splitting blades which are carried by the .piate 55. The upper ends of the two blade operating springs 55 engage in an opening 51 which is formed in a supporting member 25. A vertically disposed beet top splitting blade 55 is carried by the plate 55 and is disposed in face abutting relation to the stationary blade 54 and coacts with this blade 54 in splitting the top of the beet. The blade 55 moves downwardly and rearwardly to an operative or set position when the roller 35 rides upwardly over the beet and when the roller drops off of the beet the blade 55 moves forwardly and upwardly to a cutting position which is the position shown in Figures 1 and 2.

A V-shaped beet topping blade 55 is disposed in a horizontal position beneath the plate 55, being fixed thereto by any suitable fastening means and the convergent end of the blade 55 is foremost and merges in the rear end of the splitting blade 55 extending rearwardly from the two rollers 35 and the apex of the blade 55 is disposed substantially centrally in the space between the two rollers 35.

An elongated lever 15 which is provided with an obtusely disposed forward end portion 1| is pivotally mounted on the pivot 21. The lever 15 is connected to the blade carrier 55 by means of a pair of links 12. The links 12 are pivotally secured as at 13 to the blade carrier 55 and the links 12 are provided with a plurality of holes 14 through selected ones of which a bolt or pivot member 15 is adapted to engage. The lever I8 is also provided with a plurality of holes 15 through a selected one of which a bolt or pivot member I5 is adapted to engage so as to adjust.

the position of the lower portion of the lever I8 with respect to the blade carrier 58. A link 11 is pivotally mounted at one end on a pivot I8 engaging through a selected opening I4 in each link I2 and the link I1 is also provided with a plurality of spaced openings 18 through which a pivot member 18 is adapted to engage for adjustably and pivotally securing the link ll between the two upright bars 35. A pair of links 88 are pivotally secured on a pivot member 53 which engages through the forward upper end of the arm 5| which is connected to the blade carrier 68 and the two links 88 are provided with spaced openings 82 through selected ones of which a pivot member 83 is adapted to engage. The pivot 83 also engages through a selected opening 84 formed in the lever 18. There are a number of these openings 84 in the lever I8 so that the links 88 may be adjusted relative to the lever 84. v

A blade operating lever is pivotally secured on a pivot member 85 extending between the depending supporting members 28 and above the lever I8. The lever 85 is provided with an obtusely disposed rear lower end 81 which has formed therein a plurality of spaced apart openings 88. A link 88 is mounted at one end on a pivot 88 engaging through the rear end of the lever 18 and the link 88 extends upwardly and forwardly of the lever I8 and is pivotally secured on a pivot member 8I engaging through a selected opening 88. A link 82 is pivotally mounted at its upper end on the pivot member 8I and the link 82 is provided with a plurality of openings 83 formed therein through which a pivot member 84 engages. The pivot member 84 engages through the two supporting members 35 and the link 82 coacts with the link 88 and levers I8 and 85 in effecting the desired movement of the blade carrier 58 with respect to the frame structure comprising the bars 25 and the two side bars 38.

The topping mechanism hereinbefore described is raised to an inoperative position or lowered to an operative position by means of a rock lever or handle 85 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 86 engaging through upstanding ears 81 carried by a supporting bar or member 88 which is fixed to the frame I8 rearwardly of the wheels II. A toothed quadrant 88 extends upwardly from the supporting member 88 and the lever or operator 85 is provided with a spring pressed latching dog I88 which is operated from a bell crank lever I8I pivotally carried by the upper portion of the lever 85. The lever 85 is provided with an upwardly curved lifting and lowering arm I82 which is formed integral therewith and the upturned forward end of the arm I82 is connected to the downwardly curved rear end portions I! of the draft bars I4 by means of a pair of links I83 which are mounted on the shaft or pivot member I8 and also a second pair of links I84 which are pivotally connected as by a pivot member I85 to the upper ends of the link or links I83. The links I84 are pivotally connected as by a pivot member I88 to the upturned forward end of the arm I82.

In order to provide a means whereby the wheels II may be raised off of the ground when the topping mechanism is raised by means of the lever 85, I have provided a bell crank I8'I which is pivotally mounted on a pivot member I88 engaging a pair of supporting bars I88a which are fixed to the draft bars I4. One end of the bell crank IN is connected to a lifting rod I88 which is slidable through an extension II8 carried by the L-shaped member 23. The rod I88 is provided with a head III disposed below the extension III and when the lever 85 is rocked rearwardly so as to raise the rear end portions ll of the bars I4, the lifting rod I88 will be raised until the head III engages the extension H8. The extension H8 is provided with an opening II2 through which the rod I88 slidably engages.

A lifting lever H8 is rockably mounted on a pivot II4 engaging through the supporting members 48 and the lever H3 is connected to the bell crank I81 by means of a link H5. The link III is pivotally connected at one end to the rear end of the bell crank I8I by means of a pivot I I8 and the rear end of the link H5 is pivotally secured to the lever II3 upwardly and rearwardly of the pivot II4 by means of a pivot 1. When the lifting lever H3 is in the position shown in Figure 1, this lever is locked'against rocking movement on the pivot H4 and in this position the rear ends of the draft bars I4 cannot be raised beyond the limit permitted by the head III of the lifting rod I88. If it is desired to raise the rear ends of the draft bars I4 to an extent greater than that permitted by the stop or head III, the lever I I3 must be raised so that the pivot II! will be disposed above the pivot II4. When the lever H3 is raised so as to position the pivot II'I above the pivot II 4, the lever 85 can be rocked downwardly to the limit permitted by the quadrant 88 and the additional raising of the draft bars I4 relative to the frame I8 will cause the bell crank IN to rock on the pivot I88 and a. this time the frame I8 will be in a substantially horizontal position with the wheels II engaging the ground and the draft bars I4 will be inclined to the horizontal with the rear ends thereof uppermost and in substantially the position shown in Figure 5.

If it is desired to raise the wheels II of! of the ground and also raise a pair of downwardly convergent plows or beet digging members II8 out of the ground, the lever I I3 isrocked downwardly and rearwardly to the position shown in Figure 5. This will raise the forward end of the frame I8 to the position shown in Figure 5 and thus raise the wheels II of! of the ground and also move the plow members II8 to an inoperative position. The plow members 8 are of conventional construction and are mounted on plow supporting members II8 which are fixed by fastening devices I28 to the frame I8 rearwardly oi the wheels I I.

A bracing bar I2I is connected at one end to a supporting bar H8 and at the other or forward end is fixed by a fastening device I22 to the frame II8. It will be understood that a pair of wheels are pivotally mounted on the frame ll rearwardly of the plows H8 and the supporting bars II8.

In order to provide a means whereby the trash or split tops may be forced laterally of the digging plows II8, I have provided a pair of depending and downwardly directed rods I 23 which are secured at their upper ends in adjusted position to the draft bars I4 by means of a pair of clamping bars I 24 which are adapted to be bolted by bolts I25 to the bars I4 forwardly of the frame I8. The bars I23 extend downwardly between the two wheels II and each bar I23 is provided with an upwardly curved lower end I28 which if desired may engage the surface of the ground when the topping mechanism 24 is in an operative position so as to engage the split and cut tops and force these tops laterally of the digging members H8. The upwardly curved lower ends I26 of the rods I23 may be disposed in rearwardly divergent position so as to force the trash and split and severed tops away from the digging or lifting plows I I8.

In the use and operation of this beet topping mechanism, the draft bars 14 are adapted to be connected to a suitable pulling device or may be connected to a pair of horses and the topping mechanism 23 is lowered to an operative position by raising the lever 95 to the desired position. The raising of the lever 95 will drop the rear ends of the draft bars l4 until they are positioned in the desired relation with respect to the frame In. In their lowermost position, the draft bars l4 may rest on top of the forward end of the frame It! as shown in Figure l and in this position the draft bars I4 will be substantially horizontal. The device is then pulled along the row of beets and as each beet B as shown in Figure 1 has a portion thereof projecting above the top of the ground, the rollers 35 will ride over the projecting portion of the beet B and raise the frame members 25 and 30 together with the shield and'the beet top splitting and cutting mechanism.

The stationary plate 54 will move through the beet top and eifect at least a partial splitting of the top and as the rollers 35 ride upwardly and over the projecting portion beet B, the blade carrier will be shifted rearwardly. This rearward shifting of the blade carrier 60 is eflfected by means of the linkage 12 and 80 and the lever 10. As the blade carrier 60 moves rearwardly, the top splitting blade 68 and the topping blade 69 will move with the carrier 60 against the tension of the springs 66. After the rollers 35 pass over the top of the beet B, the carrier 60 is released and the springs 66 will snap the two blades 68 and 69 forwardly so as to split the top of the beet B and at the same time make a horizontal out completely through the top of the beet B.

The linkage 89, 92 and the rock lever 85 also assist in effecting the desired rearward movement of the blade carrier 60 as this carrier is shifted upwardly with the upward movement of the rollers 35 and the frame structure comprising the frame bars 25 and 30.

With a beet topping mechanism of this kind, the mechanism 24 may be adjusted to the desired position relative to the ground and to the smallest beets which it may be desired to top. As the device is moved over the ground and the rollers 35 engage the projecting portions of the beets, the rollers 35 will ride 'over these beets and with a mechanism of this kind, different sizes of beets will have the tops thereof cut off at different heights from the ground so that the topping mechanism hereinbefore described will not cut structed according to an embodiment of this invention and placed in actual operation and has been found to provide a more satisfactory topping mechanism than one which moves in a horizontal plane over the ground and which must be 5 set for a. maximum depth. The beet topping mechanism hereinbefore described will effect a considerable saving in the amount of beet which is cut ofl in the topping operation as the device can be readily adjusted as to tension by means 10 of the tensioning spring 45 which yieldably holds the topping mechanism in a position for engagement with the tops of the beets. As the beet mechanism 24 rises, the bell crank 41 will be rocked on the pivot 43 against the tension of the spring 46 so that this tension may be adjusted to the desired degree in order to hold the rollers 35 of the topping mechanism in a position for engagement with the tops of the beets.

What I claim is:

1. A beet topping device comprising a mobile frame structure, a topping blade carrier disposed below said structure, a swingable supporting means for said carrier, means connected to said carrier and said supporting means for effecting 25 movement of said carrier lengthwise of said supporting means simultaneous with vertical movement of said supporting means, means for adjusting said connecting means for varying the movement of the carrier relative to said supporting means, a beet topping blade carried by said carrier, and means for elevating or lowering said supporting means.

2. A beet topping device comprising a beet topping blade, vertically swingable supporting 35 means for said blade, means carried by said supporting means engageable with a beet for vertically swinging said supporting means, means active upon upward movement of said supporting means for shifting said blade rearwardly of said supporting means, and means active when said first means has moved out of engagement with a. beet for moving said blade forwardly to a cutting position.

3. A beet actuated topping mechanism comprising a beet topping blade, a vertically swingable support for said blade, yieldable means constantly urging said blade forwardly relative to said support, and means active upon upward movement of said support for moving said blade rearwardly relative to said support.

4. A beet actuated topping mechanism comprising a beet topping blade, at beet top splitting blade extending forwardly of said topping blade and fixed relative thereto, a vertically swingable support for said blades, yieldable means constantly urging said blades forwardly relative to said support, and means active upon upward movement of said support for moving said blades rearwardly relative to said support.

5. A beet actuated topping mechanism comprising a beet topping blade, a beet top splitting blade extending forwardly of said topp g blade and fixed relative thereto, said top splitting blade having a portion thereof projecting below said topping blade, 8. swingable support for said blades, a second beet top splitting blade fixed relative to said support and disposed in face abutting relation to said first top splitting blade,

means constantly urging said topping blade and said first splitting blade forwardly relative to said support, and means active upon upward movement of said support for'moving said topping blade and said first splitting blade relative to said support.

6. A beet actuated topping mechanism comprising a beet topping blade, a beet top splitting blade extending forwardly of said topping blade and fixed relative thereto, said top splitting blade having a portion thereof projecting'below said topping blade, a swingable support for said blades, a second beet top splitting blade fixed relative to said support and disposed in face abutting relation to said first top splitting blade, means constantly urging said topping blade and said first splitting blade forwardly relative to said support, means active upon upward movement of said support for moving said topping blade and said first splitting blade relative to said support, a mobile frame, and means engaging said frame and said support for elevating or lowering said support relative to said frame.

7. A beet actuated topping mechanism comprising abeet topping blade, a beet top splitting blade extending forwardly of said topping blade and fixed relative thereto, said top splitting blade having a portion thereof projecting below said topping blade, a swingable support for said blades, 2. second beet top splitting blade fixed relative to said support and disposed in face abutting relation to said first top splitting blade, means constantly urging said topping blade and said first splitting blade forwardly relative to said support, means active upon upward movement of said support for moving said topping blade and said first splitting blades relative to said support, a mobile frame, means engaging said frame and said support for elevating or lowering said support relative to said frame, and tensionable mea'ns constantly urging said support downwardly.

8. A beet actuated topping mechanism comprising a beet topping blade, 9. beet top splitting blade extending forwardly of said topping blade and fixed relative thereto, said top splitting blade having a portion thereof projecting below said topping blade, a swingable support for said blades, a second beet top splitting blade fixed relative to said support and disposed in face abutting relation to said. first top splitting blade, means constantly urging said topping blade and said first splitting blade forwardly relative to said support, means active upon upward movement of said support for moving said topping blade and said first splitting blades relative to said support, a mobile frame structure including a wheeled frame and a draft structure, link means connecting the draft structure to said wheeled frame, and means carried by said wheeled frame forlsiniultaneously elevating said isupport and the rear portion of said draft strucure.

9. A beet actuated topping mechanism comprising a beet topping blade, 2. beet top splitting blade extending forwardly of said topping blade and fixed relative thereto, said top splitting blade having a portion thereof projecting below said topping blade, a swingable support for said blades, a second beet top splitting blade fixed relative to said support and disposed in face abutting relation to said first top splitting blade, means constantly urging said topping blade and said first splitting blade forwardly relative to said support. a mobile frame structure including a wheeled frame and a draft structure, link means connecting the draft structure to said wheeled frame, means carried by said wheeled frame for simultaneously elevating said support and the rear portion of said draft structure, and means engaging said draft structure and said wheeled frame for elevating the forward portion of said wheeled frame when the rear portion of said draft structure is in elevated position.

10. A beet actuated topping mechanism cOmprising a mobile frame, a supporting member below said frame, means swingably supporting said member from said frame, a blade carrier movably carried by said supporting member, means constantly urging said carrier in one direction, means carried by said supporting member and engaging said carrier for moving said carrier in the opposite direction upon upward swinging of said supporting member, means for adjusting said carrier moving means for varying the movement of the carrier in the said opposite direction upon upward swinging of said supporting member, a topping blade carried by said carrier, and rollers carried by said supporting member forwardly of said topping blade for engagement with a beet to thereby vertically move said supporting member upon contact of said rollers with a beet.

1 1. A beet actuated topping mechanism comprising a mobile frame, a supporting member below said frame, means swingably supporting said member from said frame, a blade carrier movably carried by said supporting members, means constantly urging said carrier in one direction, means carried by said supporting member and engaging said carrier for moving said carrier in the opposite direction upon upward swinging of said supporting member, a topping blade carried by said carrier, a top splitting blade carried by said supporting member and projecting downwardly therefrom, a second top splitting blade carried by said carrier and disposed in face abutting and operative relation to said first top splitting blade, and rollers carried by said supporting member forwardly of said topping blade for engagement with a beet to thereby vertically move said supportingmember upon contact of said rollers with a beet.

12. A beet actuated topping mechanism comprising a mobile frame, a supporting member below said frame, an upwardly extending suspension means carried by said supporting member, a bell crank rockably carried by said frame, means pivotally connecting one leg of said bell crank to said suspension means, tensionable means connected to the other leg of said bell crank and to said frame, a blade carrier movably carried by said supporting member, means constantly urging said carrier in one direction, means carried by said supporting member and engaging said carrier for moving said carrier in the opposite direction upon upward swinging of said supporting member, a topping blade carried by said carrier, and rollers carried by said supporting member forwardly of said topping blade for engagement with a beet to thereby vertically move said supporting member upon contact of said rollers with a beet.

JOHN L. BRADEN. 

